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Josh Bell
Londonderry, NH, United States
This Blue Jay appeared at my feeding station this past summer for a period of 3 days. It appeared to be very sluggish and “not with it.” It would sit still for hours in one of my hanging platform feeders and go back and forth between dozing off and pecking occasionally at the seed inside. It would also exhibit the same behavior on the ground. On the last day that it was at my feeding station it allowed me to walk so close to it that I could’ve picked it up. At that point I knew something was wrong. It’s eyes were opening and closing and it had this abnormal lump on it’s upper back. I never saw it again after that day.
Sick behavior
Tag:
Sick Blue Jay
Blue jay sitting around in yard, appears ok. But I usually see them fly away when I open the door, this one doesn’t. It can fly and it hops around when you get close. It will also eat some of the sweat cake. Leaves then comes back.
Hampstead NH
Did you ever figure out what this way because i have my second blue jay exactly this way. The first one died. I wonder if its an illness or did they fly into a window and are injured. Its so sad to see and not sure what to do
Hi Christine, Anytime you see a sick bird, it’s best to take your feeders down and clean them. Cleaning them regularly (every 1-2 weeks) is the best way to prevent disease, even when you see no sick birds. You can learn more about bird diseases and how best to clean your feeders here. Please also note that it is against federal law to handle to treat wild birds without a federal permit. If you’re particularly worried about an individual, the best thing to do is to call a local wildlife rehabilitator before taking action. If you’re not sure who that is, your state’s wildlife office should have a list of rehabilitators that are federally certified.
Thank you for all the great info Holly!
I discovered Bluejay at my house this morning with those exact same symptoms; did you find out what it was and how you treat it?
Thank you
Hi Vanessa, Anytime you see a sick bird, it’s best to take your feeders down and clean them. Cleaning them regularly (every 1-2 weeks) is the best way to prevent disease, even when you see no sick birds. You can learn more about bird diseases and how best to clean your feeders here. Please also note that it is against federal law to handle to treat wild birds without a federal permit. If you’re particularly worried about an individual, the best thing to do is to call a local wildlife rehabilitator before taking action. If you’re not sure who that is, your state’s wildlife office should have a list of rehabilitators that are federally certified.
A number of blue jays visit our feeder and suet block. Approximately a month ago noticed one of them was almost constantly “fluttering” its wings when on the ground or feeder. This morning, three of them were exhibiting this behavior. Is this normal or is there a problem of some kind? Thank you for any information you might have.
Hi Ron, if that is the only behavior they are exhibiting, it seems unlikely to be related to a disease (in such a case, you would also likely notice lethargy, erratic flying, or other symptoms). Fluttering of wings could be juvenile birds still getting used to their wings, they could be sunbathing, or perhaps engaging in a behavior that some birds exhibit, called “anting” where the bird rubs ants on their feathers or skin. The purpose of anting is still a bit uncertain, though it’s likely to help with removing pests or mites that live in their feathers. In any case, if you think the birds could be sick, it’s best to take your feeders down and clean them. Cleaning them regularly (every 1-2 weeks) is the best way to help prevent the spread of disease at your feeders.
If it is squawking while fluttering its wings, fluttering them while near an adult, or following another bird while fluttering its wings, it might be a juvenile asking for food.
Another thing, adult birds will sometimes flutter their wings when wanting to breed. But since you saw three birds doing this, it’s probably just some juveniles begging for food.
i had a blue juvenile blue jay just sitting on the edge of my birdbath dozing in and out very sluggish. it popped 3 times so up until this point all ok. it was on the ground a little while later and was able to pet it. well it died the following morning. im a biker from nj and i guess I’m soft because i was so bummed. i put it in a cigar box with a piece of bread that he ate and used it as a pillow. i also gave my friend a peanut, put it with tissue paper and buried it down back with a cross. RIP my feather friend
That’s really thoughtful what you did for that deceased bird. It is truly uplifting to hear about other humans who so deeply care for animals and want to give them respect when they pass. I do the same if I ever find a dead bird. I buried a pigeon and tidied up the grass on top and put little flowers on its grave. I buried a little bushtit under a row of hedges that I see bushtits in a lot. And the hummingbird I buried with my friend near a tree where a lot of hummingbirds hang out. : – (
I have read that there are organizations who like you to donate the bird’s body so they can study the cause of the death. I haven’t done that yet because I just felt the need to bury them and give them a little ritual. : – (
Noticed one of my regular blue jays with 2 dangling large feathers touching the ground. He seems to be able to fly just enough to a close bush. He eats a little off the porch. Not sure if he is sick and injured or just molding. Its so sad not to be able to catch him and maybe get help.
Hi Gisela, In late summer and fall many species are molting, including Blue Jays. If your bird can fly, walk, and eat well on its own, there’s no reason to intervene. New feathers will grow back in within a few weeks. We do not recommend attempting to catch any wild bird unless you’re doing so under the direction of a certified wildlife rehabilitator or wildlife vet.
I have one that looks young and he has been here for hours. I tried catching him but he keeps moving but allows me to get very close. This is upsetting and I don’t know what to do. .it also looks like there is alot of tears around eyes
Hello Kimberly, thank you for reaching out. If you see a bird that appears to be compromised in some way, perhaps due to sickness or injury, do not try to care for the bird yourself. It is illegal for you to possess most wild birds unless you are under the direction of someone licensed for their care. Only veterinarians or federally licensed wildlife rehabilitators can legally treat wild birds. It is best to leave the bird, or call your local wildlife rehabilitator.
I have a very bloated blue Jay who appeared yesterday at my feeder. He sat there for an hour. Today he was on the ground below the feeder and let my kids walk right past. Now he is staying on a support post under my eaves and not moving. He looks very bloated. We have a good population of blue Jay’s that visit our peanut ring daily, along with many other species. I would hate for it to be a disease spreading center, should I be concerned?
Hi Craig, Any time you see a bird that you suspect is sick, like this lethargic individual you describe, it’s best to take your feeders down and clean them. Leave them down for a few days to let the sick birds disperse. Even if you don’t see any sick birds, we recommend cleaning feeders every 1-2 weeks to help prevent the transmission of any disease at your feeders. You can learn more here. I also recommend reaching out to a local wildlife rehabilitator, who may have further advice for you.
We also have a very bloated-looking and sluggish blue jay who sits for unusually long stretches at the 6′ X 3″ bird seed trough off our front deck. He was perched, virtually immobile, on the boxwood bushes below the deck this morning. He is able to fly a short distance to an oak tree. This is day # 2 or 3. The trough is for birdseed – it is mahogany and kept very clean, with only a smattering of seed. We actually kept it seed-free for many days after seeing another sluggish blue jay, and the remnants (neighbor cat) of two blue jays about 2-3 weeks ago. All other birds seem fine. Though I added fresh seed to the long trough 3 days ago, the other feeder has been taken down. We are sick about this. I notified MA Fish & Wildlife and Tufts Wildlife Clinic in Grafton, MA.
Trish, did you ever find out about the Bluejays? This is a year old post but I’m having the same issues with Bluejays. All the same symptoms as mentioned here. I’m from central MA. They sprayed for mosquitoes this entire month. I’ve heard Jays and Crows are mist effected by West Nile Virus, I’m wondering if the spray could be making them sick???
FYI I have a blue jay exhibiting all symptoms everyone else mentioned. Hanging around bird feeder all day on ground and not flying away from me. I was told either West Nile virus or from fertilizer. Not much can be done and was instructed to keep it warm and in a dark spot with food/water. Hopefully this one makes it.
HI Lin, Anytime you see a sick bird, or one exhibiting such symptoms, it’s best to take your feeders down for a few days and clean them. Cleaning them regularly (every 1-2 weeks) is the best way to prevent disease, even when you see no sick birds. You can learn more about bird diseases and how best to clean your feeders here. We do not recommend capturing nor treating wild birds unless you are under the direction of a certified wildlife rehabilitator, or someone who is otherwise possessing the necessary federal permits.
Last few days I noticed a Blue Jay with the same symptoms sitting on the railing of my deck here in New Jersey, where I put out peanuts for Jays & Woodpeckers. He would sit there with his head tilted to the side, wings hanging over the railings like he was pooped. Then after a while he would pop-up, grab a peanut and fly away. He looked a bit bloated and scruffy. Any ideas of what is causing this ??
Hello Nick, thanks for reaching out. Unfortunately there is no way to tell for sure what is happening with the Blue Jay. If you suspect the Blue Jay is sick, we recommend removing the feeders the bird is using for a few weeks to allow the bird a chance to disperse. While the feeders are down, clean them thoroughly using a diluted bleach solution. For more info, please visit our page on Sick Birds and Bird Diseases.
Would really like to know what this “disease”? is. Have a similar jay in Allentown, PA. It is a sitting duck for a hawk or fox. I feel so bad. If anyone know what causes this please let me know. Thank you.
Hello Sue, thanks for reaching out. It is impossible to say for sure why this Blue Jay is ill, without examination by a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian. If you see a bird that appears to be compromised in some way, perhaps due to sickness or injury, do not try to care for the bird yourself. It is illegal for you to possess most wild birds unless you are under the direction of someone licensed for their care. Please feel free to check out the Sick Birds and Bird Diseases section of our website for more info.
Worth mentioning that while a bird can’t be visually diagnosed, H5N1 avian flu is having a large outbreak in the eastern US (2021-2022+) and has been infecting blue jays and crows. Symptom lists for avian flu commonly include head and neck swelling and lethargic behavior/eventual death.
I routinely feed my blue jays peanuts all year long. For a couple days now, we have one who seems really dopey, flys okay, but hangs for long periods of time near the peanuts and or the water bowl that we keep out. He drank at least 10 beakfuls earlier, and has eaten a bit. When we open the door, he sits there on our porch deck looking at us, and doesn’t make a move to fly away. At first I thought he was a baby, but now I guess he’s sick after reading all these posts.
I forgot to add that I live in Woodbridge Township, NJ.
I also would like to know what the disease is. I have written to NJ Audubon to see if they can shed on light on the situation. I am in Central New Jersey
I am on the outskirts of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and notice in the past two weeks that l have not seen a single blue jay, where l was seeing several a day consistently before that. This is extremely concerning as l thought Blue Jays stay all winter in this region. Are there reports of total annihilation due to avian flu or West Nile? (Nov 7, 2022)
Hello Karen, thank you for reaching out. We frequently receive inquiries about an increase or decline in bird populations. Bird populations normally fluctuate from one season to the next and from one year to the next. Researchers have determined that the number of birds in North America has declined by nearly 30% in the last 50 years (read article from Autumn 2019 Living Bird), but for feeder birds, which are doing better overall than non-feeder birds, the declines have been gradual. If you are seeing a sudden, dramatic drop in bird numbers, most likely the cause is either local or seasonal. Although it’s impossible for us to know the cause of each specific increase and decline, there are several common causes for bird population fluctuations.
• The most common cause for a dramatic drop in all bird species at a feeder is the arrival of a predator, such as a hawk (often impossible to see) or a cat.
• Habitat changes frequently affect bird numbers. If there has been any change in your neighborhood–such as trees being cut down, new houses being built, or different crops being planted on nearby fields–that could be the reason you are seeing more or less birds.
• Natural food supplies–such as pinecones, berries, seeds, and insects–fluctuate from year to year, causing birds to shift ranges to take advantage of food surpluses or to compensate for food shortages.
• Weather fluctuations often cause birds to shift ranges, especially in winter.
To see what other participants are reporting in your region this year or to compare to past seasons, visit the Explore section of our web site and check the State Summaries.
I know it can be frustrating to watch your feeders when no birds come, but that data is critical. The only way we will know if there are any significant declines in bird populations is if people seeing few or no birds keep sending counts, so please keep counting and submitting data.
Let us know if you have any other questions.
Hi, one of my regular jays is showing the symptoms mentioned. We are having extreme cold weather. I am very concerned. Is there anything I can do to help the bird? Please advise.
Hello, thank you for reaching out! Only veterinarians or federally licensed wildlife rehabilitators can legally treat wild birds. If you see a bird that appears to be compromised in some way, perhaps due to sickness or injury, do not try to care for the bird yourself. It is illegal for you to possess most wild birds unless you are under the direction of someone licensed for their care.
Whenever a sick bird comes to your feeder, we recommend that you remove the feeders the sick bird is using for a couple of weeks to ensure that disease is not being spread at your feeders and to give birds a chance to disperse. While the feeders are down clean your feeders and feeder area thoroughly. Remember that prevention is the key to avoiding the spread of disease. Regularly clean your feeders even when there are no signs of disease. For more info, please feel free to check out the Sick Birds and Bird Diseases section of our website.
Just witnessed a Blue Jay perched in a tree that did not fly off like the other birds when my dogs & I approached. It appeared unstable and wobbly while perched. It went from tree limb to tree limb wihtin the same tree, but most likely to regain it’s balance. It is now in late March with the weather in the 40’s. Something is not right. We moved on and the dogs did not even notice it. I will clean our feeders. Wonder if this is a sign of avian influenza?
Hi. I have been looking for info and came across this site. I am concerned about a jay but not the problem discussed here. For several weeks this jay has been coming to my yard. I think it is a female but not sure. She lights on wires, posts, etc. she doesn’t stay in one place very long, goes to the ground and quickly back up. Sometimes flies across the street to the neighbor’s yard where she does the same thing. She seems to be looking for something or very anxious. At first I thought she might be a fledgling but she seems too big for that and after several weeks I would think she has moved out of that stage. A little concerned but have no idea what to do.
Hi Linda, thanks for reaching out. This sounds like normal bird behavior. Birds often do not stay in one place for long as there is a risk of predators getting to them. This Blue Jay may be searching or foraging for food. Blue Jays also tend to cache food (hide the food in several spots to eat later), so it could be searching for those caches. Feel free to learn more about Blue Jays and their behavior here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Blue_Jay/overview
Same thing 2 days now The 1st day it was on my back for picking up my wind. Now today is on the bottom stair breathing extraordinary hard. And it won’t move it just sits there
Hi, we noticed 3 blue jays that come to our feeder that have lost all their neck and head feathers and crest. We are concerned and are wondering if you may have an answer as to what is happening? They are healthy otherwise, feed well and are flying normal.
Hello Connie, thank you for reaching out. This is most likely due to a normal process called molting, where birds shed their feathers to make room for new ones to come in. They may look odd with missing feathers, but this is a normal, healthy process.
I rescued a fledgling bluejay that’s about 5 months old now. He’s now quiet and puffs up and sits longer than usual. He was pawed by a cat under a door about 4 weeks ago. There were no signs of blood from the paw of the cat, only small feathers from the bird escaping. He only hopped around so I put him in his cage for 2 weeks and he was able to fly then. Now 2 weeks later he is quiet, poop a little watery and little green and not flying a lot. He stays in my bedroom, if he goes in his cage I will take him outside. I had to take him inside because of all the cats in my yard. His eyes are clear and he still catches bugs and worms while in his cage. I will let him free fly when I can contain some of the cats. He roosted outside Monday night and came back to the cage the next day. Thank you for any help you can give. There are no bird rehabbers or vets in my area. So sad, but a fact.
Hello Cindy, thank you for reaching out. Only veterinarians or federally licensed wildlife rehabilitators can legally treat wild birds. If you see a bird that appears to be compromised in some way, perhaps due to sickness or injury, do not try to care for the bird yourself. It is illegal for you to possess most wild birds unless you are under the direction of someone licensed for their care. The Humane Society website provides contact information for rehabilitators in the U.S. or in Canada websites by state or province.
I live in the city and a Bluejays was on the curb of the sidewalk. I walked up to it and it looked up at me but stayed there while I talked to it. I told it to go to the lot by the trees but it kept looking at me as I talked to it. Then he hopped to the lot, sat there but came back out to the sidewalk toward me. I talked to it again but it seemed like he wouldn’t listen to me. He sat there and just kept looking at me like a kid that won’t listen. He stayed on the sidewalk as I walked away. He didn’t appear to be hurt or anything. His eyes were wide open. I was so close to it I could have picked it up.
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